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Sector Hubs in Wallonia

Wallonia boasts a structure that is unique in Europe: a network of sector hubs combining specialized economic zones, R&D centers, science parks, industrial clusters, international companies, and first-rate logistics infrastructure. These hubs offer a directly operational environment for investors, with a rare concentration of skills, technology platforms, and land ready to accommodate industrial projects.

Biotech & Pharma Hubs — A Leading European Corridor

Glissez

BioPark Charleroi Brussels South

Around 3,500 life sciences professionals, companies such as Catalent, numerous GMP platforms, and bioproduction facilities.

Walloon Brabant

Major hub around GSK Wavre, UCB, the new Quantoom park (Wavre), and dedicated infrastructure in Louvain-la-Neuve.

Liège – Legiapark, Gigapark, Liège Science Park

Presence of leaders including Eurogentec/Kaneka, Lonza, and many emerging biotech, diagnostics, and medtech companies.

Namur/Isnes

Biostatistics, diagnostics, medical devices, and logistics (GSK site).

Marloie (Luxembourg)

Strategic extension of the biotech network with Novalis BioPark.

This cluster forms an integrated biotech network covering the south-east and center of the country—unique in Europe for its density and capacity for rapid industrialization.

Cleantech Hubs — Energy, Hydrogen, and Circularity

Wallonia’s cleantech sector is structured around major industrial energy territories:

  • Liège: an energy and industrial hub (John Cockerill, hydrogen, circularity, low-carbon materials).
  • Cleantech District – West Gate of Charleroi: focused on deep tech and energy efficiency, with the ambition of attracting 100 companies.
  • Hainaut: a testing ground for hydrogen, major energy projects, and circularity, supported by the Boucle du Hainaut project.

This structure supports the growth of industrial cleantech companies and large-scale transition projects.

Aero & Space Hubs — Propulsion, Satellites, and Space Cybersecurity

Wallonia’s aeronautics and space cluster is multi-polar, covering critical segments of the value chain:

  • Charleroi: Sonaca (aeronautics), Thales Alenia Space Belgium, SABCA, Aerospacelab (NewSpace).
  • Liège: Safran Aero Boosters (propulsion and test benches), advanced materials.
    Transinne (Luxembourg): Galaxia and ESEC, a European hub for cybersecurity and space data.

This network covers the entire spectrum: critical components, integration, automation, and cybersecurity.

Logistics Hubs — Three European Nerve Centers

Glissez

Liège

Belgium’s leading cargo hub. Liège Airport ranks 5th in Europe for cargo, hosting FedEx and Alibaba/Cainiao, and benefits from multimodal platforms such as Trilogiport and the Port of Liège. A renowned quadrimodal platform with access to major seaports.

Hainaut

With the Garocentre and Charleroi platforms, multiple multimodal rail-road-water hubs ideal for logistics activities and access to France.

Province of Luxembourg

Athus multimodal terminal, Ardenne Logistics, providing a gateway to Luxembourg, France, and Germany.

And more

Additional logistics opportunities also exist in Namur and Walloon Brabant.

Agro & Agritech Hubs — A Dense Network Across All Provinces

The agri-food sector is organized around strong geographic areas:

  • Hainaut: McCain, Cosucra, legumes, agro-robotics.
  • Namur/Gembloux: agronomy, agro-biotech.
  • Liège & Luxembourg: dairy and cereal sectors.

All are supported by the Wagralim innovation cluster.
Many subsectors are expanding, particularly in agritech, with concentrations of players in several locations and a growing ambition to create an agritech park.

Industrial Hubs — Modernized Manufacturing Areas

Wallonia hosts several key industrial areas, combining historic expertise with deep-tech innovation:

  • Liège: metals, energy, industrial technologies (John Cockerill, FN Herstal, Safran, etc.).
  • Charleroi & Centre: robotics, mechatronics, special machinery, advanced maintenance.
  • Western Hainaut: chemistry, materials, industrial supply chains.

These hubs bring together long-established industrial leaders and emerging industrial deep tech companies.

Digital & Cybersecurity Hubs

Glissez

Walloon Brabant

Software, AI, scale-ups (Odoo, IntoPix)

Charleroi

Deep tech and industrial digital (CETIC, Multitel)

Mons

Cloud, data, software engineering

Liège

EVS and other digital players

Transinne (Galaxia)

Cybersecurity and space data

With specialized and complementary sectoral hubs spread across the region, Wallonia offers investors a structured, agile, and immediately operational environment.
Its integrated ecosystem can accommodate both innovation-driven projects and large-scale industrial or logistics operations, making Wallonia a strategic gateway for European and global growth.